The Making of "Independence Day"

by Rachel Aberly

A behind-the-scenes collector's volume reveals all the special-effects artistry responsible for the $60 million, star-studded, blockbuster movie, in a volume containing trivia, background information, and photographs celebrating cutting-edge filmmaking at its best.

Genres: Science Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 1996

Reviews

[Renee Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of Independence Day or anyone curious about the inner workings of a Hollywood spectacle, The Making of Independence Day by Rachel Aberly offers a solid, visually rich reference point. This companion book pulls back the curtain on Roland Emmerich’s 1996 alien invasion epic, giving readers a backstage pass to the production process that brought city-leveling destruction and patriotic fervor to the big screen.

Aberly’s approach is straightforward and informative. The book includes behind-the-scenes photos and stills that showcase the scale and ambition of the film’s practical effects, miniatures, and explosive set pieces. It also features brief biographical sketches of the cast—Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and others—adding a human touch to the technical breakdowns. While the actor bios are concise, they help contextualize the ensemble that helped make the film iconic.

As a reference work, it succeeds in documenting how the movie was assembled—from concept art to final shots. However, it doesn’t dive deeply into creative conflicts, directorial choices, or broader cultural impact, which might leave more analytical readers wanting more. It’s best suited for those who enjoy visual storytelling and want a curated glimpse into the filmmaking process without heavy commentary.

Overall, this book earns a respectable 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a nice addition to a fan’s collection, especially for those who appreciate the craftsmanship behind the chaos. Just don’t expect a deep dive—this is more of a guided tour than a full excavation.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprising book - as you have not doubt seen looking through my shelves but there are many "make of books" I have read- they vary in quality and content, and this is one of the better ones. I think one of the main reasons for this being so is that the film was at the cross roads of special effects. Yes there are lots of models and miniature work but also a fair amount of computer graphics too.
You see for me I think a film's special effects has to be so good that you don't even realise that they were even there. Now both physical and computer generated effects have their strength and weaknesses and this film for me was made at that point where the cross over was at its strongest - so that either and both working side by side or tougher made enjoyable effects. Ok they may have not bee perfect but even with their flaws I think they worked better than when a film relies entirely on one or the other.
Ok so back to the book - this book for me has the right mixture of details on the film making and on the crew - it was shown as an expose on the film and its production rather than a thinly veiled fan vehicle to promote the film even further (like some of the more modern making of books have become)
Like the film or not - this book makes you appreciate the sheer amount of work put in to making it - and the amount of technical know how that was quietly used to bring the film to the screen.